In 2013, Facebook offered me a chance to reflect on all the things I am thankful for. Below are each of those entries for the 30 days of November, but lets just say that I am thankful for all that God has given me... The love of my life, Karen, my girls Michelle and Megan, my Mom, my home, and my life... The rest are just some of the ways I woke up each morning feeling thankful for all that has been given to me...
THANKS!
Day 2... The shoulders that I stand on of the lives that gone before me, especially my Dad and MomMom!
Day 3... Zacchaeus, the perspective from the tree, and the many who seek goodness!
Day 4... A girls named Mackenzie, and a Pizza Guy named Joe, and the courage she represents just by seating me at the table, and the goodness of him to give her the stage to show the world what that courage looks like!
Day 5: Today I'm grateful for those days that we refer to as "off". Ya know, for an "off day" it's been pretty great!
Day 6: Thankful for these colorful trees, and messy leaves!
Day 7: Thankful for my beautiful kids Megan Thompson and Michelle Thompsonwho do amazing things by the minute!
Day 8: Thankful for friends, too many to name, and the gift that they are to me and this little nook of God's creation, that I'll call life!
Day 9: At the risk of being misunderstood, or over analyzed, today I am thankful for the "spirits of life", those hop-based, fermented and distilled delights that are shared among friends of a mature age... A cold beer, a nice glass of Chianti, or sip of Old No. 7... These blessings, in moderation of course, are "a few of my favorite things!" #30DaysofThanksgiving
Day 10: Today I'm thankful for the spirit of hope! I see it in so many faces, and in the amazing actions of so many wonderful people in my work with the Church, especially here at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Most of all, I am thankful for the hope of a life lived to the fullest... Optimism is one thing, but "hope springs eternal"! Keep it up world, #GodWins! It's Sunday, which means I get to start my day with this adorable couple. While bossing them around is one of my favorite pastimes, I can't deny the incredible talent, humor and faith they bring to my life and our parish. Grateful to be one of the three Ts. Although they neglected to send me the memo about wearing a Target uniform to church today.
Day 11: It can never be repeated enough... Today I'm thankful for our Veterans, young and old alike. Whether you came home in 1945, 1974, or just yesterday... We all live and thrive thanks to you! #30DaysofThanksgiving #VeteransDay #Thanks
Day 12: The thanks today goes to that spirit of determination that we all share from time to time. Thank you Lord for the strength you've given all of us to press forward for the things that matter most. What are those things?
Day 13: Thanks for the silence!
Day 14: Thanks for the cool breeze the warm southern sun!
Day 15: Thanks for the opportunity to worship you Lord!
Day 16: Thanks for FOOTBALL!
Day 17: Thanks for the strength Lord! ("By your perseverance you will secure your lives." LK 21:19)
Day 18: Today is my day to be thankful for Kristen Thompson Eriksen, MY SISTER! Not only is it her birthday today, but it's another day of blessing for this world! You see, she is awesome, and she has a wonderful family, and she is an amazing school Principal, and she continues a fantastic life of making us all very proud to be Thompson's! Happy Birthday SISTA'! We love you...
Day 19 (18 Days to Ordination): Today, the thanksgiving centers on the concept of "Prayers Answered"... Whether the answer was yes, or no, or came in a thunder or a whisper, I am thankful for the many prayers answered! Our God will always be thankful for the opportunity to be connected to His people, and I am thankful for that He cares enough to call!
Day 20: Pumpkin Agnolotti... A family favorite this time of year, and only available at this deli near my brothers place... These delightful half moons, stuffed with a tasty pumpkin squash, drizzled in olive oil, topped with parmesan cheese and a little red pepper, are amazing and deserved of much thanks.... Yummmmy! Thanks Gary Thompson and Liz Ryan Thompson for living near them, and Terry Thompson for bringing them home!
Day 21: Today I am thankful for the witness of courage... There are many amazing folks out there battling illnesses, or facing challenges that I could seemingly never face... But it's through their witness & courage that we're all being trained to handle adversity... Visit the sick, and thank them for their courage! God bless you Rick Fulghum! Today I am thankful for the witness of courage... There are so many folks out there that are battling disease and illness, and facing challenges that I could seemingly never face. Their witness & courage are training us all to be better people! Visit the sick and tell them thanks for the witness! God bless you Jeanine Brennan Pesto Jamison
Day 22: There are many people who do many great things, but when they do those great things out of the kindness of their hearts FOR FREE, that's amazing! THANKS to the VOLUNTEER, you who make people's day, and share the goodness! Maybe I'm onto to something here... Thanks for the Giving, or maybe Thanks for Giving, or Thanks Giving... Hmmm, maybe make it just one word - Thanksgiving! This is brilliant... who do I call to petition for a national holiday!
Day 23: #Boston has come home to #Bama. Thanks #DunkinDonuts, welcome home!
Day 24: (Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe) 2 Samuel 5: 1-3; Ps. 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5; Colossians 1: 12-20; Luke 23: 35-43… Let Us Go Rejoicing with The King! http://gregcast.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-final-practice-homily-let-us-go.html
Day 25... Today I thank God for my parents for on this day in 1961 they declared their love for one another and to all the world, a love that they and God already knew. Happy Anniversary Terry Thompson, and thanks for popping the question Mr. Ed! My sister Kristen Thompson Eriksen and brother Gary Thompsonare eternally grateful... We really are!
Day 26: I'm thankful for Jimmy Buffett! "We need more fruitcakes in this world!"
Day 27... THANK YOU... Yes YOU... That's right, YOU... The one with that screen lighting up your face... I see you... thanking God for YOU!
Day 28/29... Thanking God for Thanksgiving... It's the year's only 48 hour day! From the food, to the family time, to the shopping, to the football, and all that other stuff... Thanks for Thanksgiving!
Day 30... Well, how do you sum up a month of thanksgiving? Certainly its all God's blessings, and I can truly celebrate because of a few of those that have come my way! But let's also dare to share that within those blessings are some awesome people and moments and good (and sometimes) not so good decisions that make up another great year of life. Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a very stuffed and grace-filled existence... Peace!!
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